play from bottom of steering wheel?

[Simpson]

As above my car has started to have a couple of mil play from top to bottom on the steering, steering wheel is tight, i have yet to double check the UJ, i am thinking it could be the steering coloumn bearing? am i right? cheers

[bomp]

Read this thread http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=56353.0

I forgot to mention in the thread that there's a spring at the bottom of the column which pushes from the UJ to the lower bearing. But anyone that repairs their lower column bush/bearings will notice that.

[Simpson]

you are a star, its not making any noise and i have had the uj off in the past when i replace the rack. I will check that is tight first then let you know. Thanks again. 

[bomp]

Mine never made a noise either, but the steering wheel would shake like mad at the lights and at high speed.

To get the bottom bush out, pull the column out the tube and get a steel rod (about 1 metre long) and tap the rod with a hamer, around the top of the bush.

I used the side of a brick/lump hamer to put the new one in.

[Simpson]

Ok so what you are saying is i probvably need the lower and upper bearings? any idea on price? i checked uj that is fine. Thanks again. Peace 

[bomp]

The bearings aren't expensive.

Take the under dash tray off, then reach down to the bottom of the column (at the UJ). Pull the bottom of the column tight against the tube then woble the steering wheel to see if there is any play at the top bearing. If there's no play at the top then only do the bottom bearing.

The bottom bearing has some free play as standard anyway, but yours has probably had its day.